Chapter 7: The Emperor's Elite!
"Say, Zo... Epsilon, you haven't seen Aurorus by chance, have you?"
"No, no, I haven't. Why? Should I?"
The Zoroark had just been in Elementara's small library in the tower, looking for information that could bring her goal even a single step closer. However, her team partner had joined her to interrupt her with this very confusing question.
"I would have hoped so at least! Tyrantrum told me that Aurorus was nowhere to be found since morning! I had hoped that he might have used the opportunity to get hold of a few books that we usually like to keep him away from while you are here. But since he isn't... where could he be?"
Well... that was actually a good question. The fossil's chemistry lab was no secret at that time, so Tyrantrum would have looked there already. Elementara would have told them, but what would he want from her anyway? He couldn't have been with Polarna vatra, because they had set off on their journey to the iceberg a few hours ago. And training by himself... not a shot, the guy usually tried to avoid any training whatsoever.
"I guess you can ask at the tower reception, maybe someone saw him there? And otherwise we'll just have to hope that he's back sometime soon. There are lots of reasons why he could have just gone somewhere, and knowing Aurorus, it won't be a logical one."
"That's true... you haven't found out anything new, have you?"
"Do I look like I did? I've been trying to find at least the term "Plot Emperor" in some book for hours! If you didn't insist so much, I wouldn't believe that he even exists! How am I supposed to see through an enemy that never shows its face?"
"How about you change your focus? It's not long until the end of the season, and we still want to be champions!"
"And how realistic is that? Who are the champions right now? Nordika?"
This question... seemed to throw Zeraora off track a little?
"Uh... no, well, they didn't win last season. But what does that have to do with anything?"
"How do you want to win the title without defeating the champions?"
"It's not that unusual that the winners of the previous season don't make it to the finals again."
"Wait, wait, wait. Make it to the finals? Don't tell me that the whole concept of the King's League works differently here!"
"You're not going to tell me that where you come from, when Aurorus and Tyrantrzm were running the league, you played out the two of them's completely insane concept seriously? This horribly unbalanced concept in which the winners of the season have a massive advantage and the chance of new champions every season becomes like zero, while at the same time the champions have something to do for exactly one day?"
"I mean... if you put it like that? If you don't play like that, I'd need an explanation of how things work for you."
"Simple and... simply logical! Elementareon took crap like a "Champion Duel" out of the plan when she started running the league immediately. The champions of a season own the Emperor's Emblem as a sign of victory, but otherwise they're just normal fighter's who play in the season, have to qualify for the tournament and then win there if they want to retain the title. So that there's a lot more variety and all teams have a chance at the title! Didn't this nonsense full of champion privileges bother you somehow?"
"No, and it didn't bother you back then either. From a sporting perspective, it was a bit unfair, I admit that, but think about the spectators. While winning here is comparatively easy for non-champions, we had an underdog story every season in which the challengers had nothing to lose."
"And nothing to gain either. How can a challenger effectively win a Champion's Duel when the champions can sit down comfortably the day before and observe all of their opponents' tactics and plan around them, while the other teams have to give their all to qualify for such a duel?"
"It probably seems less strange when you're used to it."
"If you say so... I assume that Nordika were your champions then?"
"Yes. They had a pretty rapid rise, soon beat the incumbent Team Ironfist and then kept their place at the top for many seasons without any close Champion's Duels at all. But they are strong fighters here, aren't they?"
"They might be the best. Just that there is room to discuss in our system! Their core of Elementareon and Darkrai alone is too much for most teams. Darkrai in particular, I'm often glad to have on my side."
"Darkrai is stronger than Elementara?"
"Yes? It's not even remotely close? What the hell was going on with you back then? Darkrai is the best fighter in the league and it's hardly a debate!"
Fighting in a league that was so different from her past one would definitely be a problem. How could Epsilon judge anyone sensibly when they could all be anything? But Nordika's distribution of power probably made sense.
"Well, it's logical, yes. Where I come from, Elementareon wasn't busy running the league, but was fully focused on the fight, while Darkrai... had enough other things to worry about."
The Zoroark hadn't really wanted to go into detail about her Plot Elite at the time, but one look from Zeraora showed her that she had already said too much to avoid further information.
"Darkrai was part of my Plot Elite and was burdened enough by that, even if he was a passionate league fighter."
"Darkrai was under your command? Oh my God, if you hadn't already provided any evidence, I wouldn't be able to believe a word of it if I tried with all my might! I'll tell you how it is, I believe you that you are a strong fighter, even if your fighting style does not show sportsmanship to me! But Darkrai? You wouldn't stand a chance."
"Duh, because he is basically the perfect counter to my entire fighting style by nature. He doesn't cast a shadow, is a dark type and is agile."
"He could cast three shadows, I am firmly convinced that not even he himself could beat himself!"
All right, Zeraora was a big fan of Darkrai in this world. Which didn't change the fact that these eulogies were exaggerated. And also more than just missed the original topic.
"Didn't you want to look for Aurorus or something? I want to do more research."
"Oh yes, that's right. Then I'll let you continue your suffering."
"Well, thank you, have fun too."
Zeraora left without answering, leaving Epsilon with herself. And a stack of books.
"They're back!"
Tyrantrum suddenly interrupted his teammates' training. Several days had passed since Aurorus' disappearance, Epsilon and Zeraora had just been fighting in the ring. There had been no trace of their lost teammate, and he hadn't returned that evening either. So Team Slash had initially been unable to do anything but hope for his return. However, Aurorus was not the only one whose return was pending, because Team Polarna vatra had also set off on a journey. And they were also who Tyrantrum was now announcing. The duel on the field ended immediately when Epsilon stepped out.
"Already? They were really fast! Where exactly are the three of them?"
Before Monargoras could answer himself, a voice rang out from the loudspeakers on the walls.
"Team Slash, attend a conference as soon as possible."
"Well, no need to answer I think I know now."
It obviously didn't take long before the three of them went to the place where they were expected. Team Nordika was already fully assembled and Polarna vatra was also present. And the outcome of their journey was already clearly visible, in the form of a golden leg protector that Kel was carrying. So had it really been that easy? Epsilon was almost ashamed of the Plot Emperor, who apparently wouldn't even put up enough resistance to become an actual enemy to Polarna vatra. Or didn't he?
"So, we... I'm sorry, I mean, Elementareon, can I please start?", Aurora immediately spoke.
The Pokemon addressed just nodded briefly.
"Thank you. So, as everyone here can see, we were successful! Epsilon, you were right, the Plot Armor was exactly where you said it would be. And... well... somewhere we were almost hoping to fall into a trap, weren't we? We now know for sure that the Plot Emperor knows about the armor, and also that he is not fighting alone!"
Epsilon would probably have to take back that thought about the lack of resistance.
"He is not fighting alone? Does that mean you actually met a follower of the Emperor?", she asked excitedly!
"Yes. He attacked us in the cave when I had just evolved and…"
The now-Ninetales stopped briefly. Something seemed to stop her from speaking. Instead, Kel continued!
"And it seems to me that the situation will also answer some of your questions. Aurorus followed us and attacked!"
"No shit! Amagarga would never... do... that...", Tyrantrum reacted.
Polar answered quickly.
"Yeah, you already noticed mid-sentence that that's a lie, didn't you? Aurorus is not quite right in the head, we all knew that, but apparently it is even worse than we thought. He is taking the side that causes the most chaos, at least that was what I understood from his "reasoning.""
"But... that's terrible! One of us has been on the Plot Emperor's side the whole time? And was even present at the conferences for a while?", Zeraora reacted in shock.
"As bad as that is... it's finally a lead! I've waited long enough for this! And now it looks like I finally have a sign! And it's like you said before you left, Polarna vatra, it will get the domino going!"
"Well... maybe I'm missing something, but how exactly does this knowledge help you now? It's like Polar said... Aurorus would join anyone as long as they're crazy enough.", Elementareon questioned.
"That's true. I don't have the information yet. But he'll give it to me himself! I highly doubt he'll come back, but I'll look for him, find him, and then he can tell me everything I want to know. And if he doesn't want to... then I'll make him want to!"
"You want to look for him? But you don't have any clues! He could be anywhere!", Aurora chimed in.
"Oh, I do believe that we will soon be able to meet him near Kira Town. He was around for a long time. There will be a reason for that! Just leave that to me!"
"We had no other plans. So, have all the necessary information been exchanged? Because then I would close the conference."
Kel actually had more to talk about.
"Almost. Epsilon, we have the armor now. Do you want to tell us where we need to go next?"
"No. Not yet. We will take care of that when you are a little further along. Let's say... once you qualify for the King's League, I'll tell you more."
Another condition? Aurora was outraged!
"Why? Why do you want us to fight in the League so urgently?! Isn't there more to this? Don't you have anything else to do than rush us through the most unnecessary tasks when we should be on the same side?"
"I know that you can't understand at the moment why exactly I am dragging you out like this. But trust me, I have a reason. You will soon understand, once we get to the final piece. But first it is up to you to train and hone your fighting skills. The tournament is next week, and I actually think you should be able to win there. So, complaining won't get you anywhere, fighting will have to do. So take care of the league, I will devote myself to our old "friend" in the meantime."
Nervous glances fell through the room, everyone noticed the threatening undertone of the former empress. But on the other hand, doubts remained. She had still promised a lot, shown that she could fight, but what else had this Zoroark achieved so far? Although so little was different, everything seemed so much more difficult since the Zoroark they all knew was replaced by Epsilon. But none of them suspected that the difficulties were only just beginning. Because now she had finally found what she had been looking for since her arrival!
